Downers Grove man charged after police find loaded gun under car seat with child inside: officials

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - A Downers Grove man has been charged after allegedly hiding a loaded weapon under an occupied child's car seat, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. 

What we know:

Antoine Street, 40, of Downers Grove, has been charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon concealed in a vehicle without a FOID card of concealed carry, as well as misdemeanor charges for resisting a police officer, endangering the health or life of a child, and unlawful possession of cannabis by a passenger. 

Naperville Police conducted a traffic stop on Tuesday around 10:47 p.m. on a vehicle whose owner, later identified as Street, had active warrants out of Cook County. According to police, during the stop, Street was seated in the rear passenger seat behind the front passenger seat. They also saw a one-year-old child in a car seat in the middle seat. 

Antoine Street, 40

When police informed Street that he was under arrest and was asked to step out of the car, Street allegedly resisted and was forced out by officers. 

According to police, during a search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded 9mm Ruger pistol with one bullet in the chamber under the child's car seat in which the one-year-old was sitting. Police also say they found about 32 grams of cannabis. 

What they're saying:

"The very idea that someone would hide a loaded weapon, with one bullet in the chamber, under an occupied child car seat where their infant daughter was sitting is inconceivable," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. "Thankfully, officers were able to remove the weapon before tragedy struck. I commend the Naperville Police Department for their heads-up work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our communities safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella and Jennifer Nielsen for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Street."  

"Naperville has some of the most proactive, dedicated police officers a community could ask for," Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres said. "Arrests like this highlight the fact that our officers aren’t just sitting around waiting for the next 9-1-1 call to come in. They’re out there patrolling, conducting traffic stops, and making this city safer." 

What's next:

Street will remain in custody until his next court appearance on March 2.